|
ALERT: Tell FL Senators to Protect Rx Coverage in Health Plans NOW
Floridians, many of whom choose their health plans according to prescription coverage they will receive, deserve continuity of care - not cost savings measures that jeapordize their health! Fortunately, Senator Mike Fasano has submitted SB 558, which addresses this important contiuity of care concern. Tell members of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee to support this important consumer protection bill when it is heard in their committee on April 1, and send a strong mesage Florida Senate leadership and your own Senator.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , I am writing because I am very concerned that some health plans in Florida use bait-and-switch tactics to draw in consumers and then refuse to cover needed medication. SB 558, which addresses this important contiuity of care concern, will be heard in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on April 1. Patients often choose their health plans according to the prescription coverage they will receive. Some healthcare plans, however, use deceptive practices to get patients to switch to cheaper drugs. The rising cost of healthcare has prompted many insurance companies to practice what is called "incentivized therapeutic substitution" or "therapeutic switching." This cost-cutting strategy involves replacing a prescription medication with another medication - which is often chemically different and, while saving the plan money, may simply not meet a patient's very real healthcare needs. Fortunately, Senator Mike Fasano has filed SB 558 to protect patients' rights to continuity of care and ensure that they can continue to receive the important medications their doctors have prescribed. I urge you to support SB 558 when it is heard in Banking and Finance on April 1, and as this most needed bill to protect patients in healthcare plans hopefully continues to move toward passage.
Sincerely, |
Campaign Launched: |
Unfortunately, some health plans in Florida use bait-and-switch tactics to draw in consumers, and then refuse to cover needed medication by switching to a drug that is chemically different. | Background Information |
Unfortunately, some health plans in Florida use bait-and-switch tactics to draw in consumers, and then refuse to cover needed medication by switching to a drug that is chemically different.
Patients often choose their health plans according to the prescription coverage they will receive. Some healthcare plans, however, use deceptive practices to get patients to switch to cheaper drugs.
The rising cost of healthcare has prompted many insurance companies to practice what is called "incentivized therapeutic substitution" or "therapeutic switching." This cost-cutting strategy involves replacing a prescription medication with another medication - which is often chemically different and, while saving the plan money, may simply not meet a patient's very real healthcare needs.
Floridians deserve continuity of care - not cost savings measures that jeapordize their health! Fortunately, Senator Mike Fasano has filed SB 558 to protect patients' rights to continuity of care and ensure that they can continue to receive the important medications their doctors have prescribed.
Urge the Senate Banking and Insurance to support this important consumer protection bill when it is heard in their committee on April 1, and send a strong mesage Florida Senate leadership and your own Senator.
Don’t be a victim of switching! Follow these steps to protect yourself:
- Start with your physician. Discuss your current medication and treatment plans with your doctor. Pay close attention to the medications you're currently prescribed and keep a written record of what drugs your doctor feels are best for your condition.
- Check with your insurance company. It's possible your insurance company practices incentivized therapeutic switching, requiring higher co-pays to remain on your medication. Call your insurer and ask.
- Ask questions. If your insurance plan, pharmacist or doctor wants to switch your medication, ask why - especially if your current prescription appears to be doing its job. It's critical to know if the new medication will achieve better results because there might be unexpected side effects, as well as interactions with other drugs or food. Ask whether you need to take the drug with the same frequency as your current prescription.
- Appeal. If your insurance company is pushing for a new drug but your physician feels your current prescription is the safest and most effective for you, appeal the insurance company's action. Call your insurance carrier for information on its appeal process.
Thanks to The Consumer Federation of the Southeast for the information for this alert.
About The Consumer Federation of the Southeast: CFSE is a not-for-profit consumer advocacy group founded in 2003 and dedicated to consumer advocacy in the Southeastern United States.
CFSE's goal is to establish a vigorous, pro-consumer agenda built upon public awareness, consumer education, and coalition-building. The depth of our experience and expertise in consumer matters positions us to not only identify problems, but to propose solutions to problems.
